Montero’s numbers haven’t been outstanding in Triple-A this season, but he’s already spent a year and a half at the minor league level and according to his hitting coach he looks “bored”.

I’ve said it already that the Yankees need to call Montero up. He’s better than Francisco Cervelli, offensively and probably defensively as well, so he’d give them an improvement at the backup catcher position. He might also be able to improve Russell Martin, whose numbers have taken quite a drop lately probably due to overuse.

However, Brian Cashman said that he wants Montero to play everyday. This is despite the fact that he’s already had 756 Triple-A plate appearances and is likely as ready as he’s ever going to be before being called up. He should be broken in the way Jorge Posada, and most rookies, are broken in. Slowly, playing four or five times per week.

There is no reason to wait until he can play everyday. Especially considering Martin should be a Yankee through 2012. Does that mean we have to wait until 2013 to see Montero finally get called up? It’s hard to blame him for having a lack of energy. Call him up already!

9 Responses to Bored Montero Was Benched 2 Games for Lack of Energy

Scouts also say he looks "Bored." It's one of the reasons I've advocated bringing him up. I know Cashman wants him to play everyday. But how would you feel if you are playing everyday at SWB, hitting .291, know you are better than the backup C on the Yanks who is hitting .175 with an OPS+ of 38, and who, supposedly there for his defense, is throwing balls into CF? Wouldn't YOU be frustrated? Hell, compare something like this to your OWN job! Rob, you are right. When you play in the minors, you are like a horse, and chasing that "carrot on a stick." What the Yanks are doing is taking away the carrot. So why then, (to use an analogy) should the horse then run? The whole reason for the minors is INCENTIVE. For crying out loud, give Montero incentive. By sticking with someone .175, OPS+ 38, you are taking away all Montero's incentive. I mean, wouldn't you have the same attitude and frustration as Montero if this was you? Can you blame him?

The problem is, his numbers are speaking for themselves, but the front office is dead set on him playing everyday no matter what the numbers are. Even if Montero were at .330, he'd be at SWB. That's tough to take, (he's around .290) knowing that no matter how good you are doing, you aren't going to be rewarded. Even tougher when you look up and see the guy ahead of you at .175.

I said a long time ago he was bored. He should however realize that he should give it everything he has at the plate. He is doing that defensively. He is underperforming but in spite of that he is still hitting 290. He should be brought up soon in my opinion even if it is after the alstar break or perhaps in early August. Yankees have been playing with his mind and made he a bit confuesed and frustrated. Tough pressure for a 21 year old.

I don't know this to be true but I've heard that Montero has attitude problems…now I know so did Reggie Jackson but a kid coming up with an attitude isn't going to do well in the clubhouse…if he starts clubbing the ball, his teammates might overlook it but he needs to get under the wings of some veterans and learn more than just how to play the game…

Actually, right now there is a pitching logjam which will need to be sorted out. Soon, there will be six starters for five spots (CC, AJ, Colon, Hughes, Garcia, Nova). You have Nova, Noesi, Gordon. Then comes Mitre, Logan, Mo, Robertson, Wade, Ayala… and if Soriano returns…